It was a drama to match The Who's famous rock opera of the same name as Tommy dominated the conversation in Hartlepool's clubs and pubs this summer.

It was a drama to match The Who's famous rock opera of the same name as Tommy dominated the conversation in Hartlepool's clubs and pubs this summer.

That man Miller had just enjoyed another fine season in a promising side which won a second successive invite to the annual play-off party.

And his value had risen to such a level that a club constantly having to balance the books simply had to take any substantial offer seriously.

Back-to-back promotion failures meant it was inevitable that Tommy Miller would demand a bigger stage this season and, sure enough, Premiership surprise package Ipswich paid Chris Turner a fee to the tune of &#xA3;800,000 for his services.

Miller time may be no more at Victoria Park but it seems you can't take the Tommy out of Pool as the nearly men of North-East football launch yet another assault on the league title.

Experience, Turner believes, holds the key to success and his major close-season acquisition has credentials which include performing alongside Alan Shearer at the top level.

Newcastle-born Tommy Widdrington could prove to be the signing of the summer and, with former Sheffield Wednesday striker Richie Humphreys in tow, Hartlepool have surely made two of the most astute signings of the summer.

"The only reason I am here is that I honestly believe this club has the ambition and the players to make it into the Second Division this season," revealed Widdrington. "When you're preparing to move the managers who speak to you all try to make you feel like you have a big part to play but I really believed in what Chris Turner was saying.

"I've played in the top flight as well as the First and Second divisions but I can honestly say that the training facilities and the set-up at Victoria Park is second to none.

"Without wishing to sound disrespectful I have been pleasantly surprised with the club, its players and the manager.

"I would be lying if I said I was not a little bit sceptical about making the drop down to the Third Division but everything to do with Hartlepool United is very impressive."

Widdrington is returning to the North-East for the first time in 14 years following spells at Southampton, Wigan, Grimsby and, most recently, Port Vale.

He intends to keep the family home in the Potteries but he is already searching for a weekly base nearer to home and admitted: "I might even get to see my old mate Alan Shearer in the flesh every so often.

"It's nice to be back in the region and I love the area but when you're a professional footballer you cannot allow sentiment to get in the way of your career.

"I've been lucky that this opportunity has arisen though and I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and friends.

"My dad still drinks with Alan's dad every week and we're still quite close.

"I'm his biggest fan but I'll be trying to grab some of the headlines from him now that I'm at Hartlepool!"